An exiled Russian opposition group has marched through central Berlin in protest against President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine.
Thousands of supporters joined the march led by Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in February in a Russian prison. Navalny’s supporters claim that Putin was responsible for his death, but the Kremlin denies this.
People carried a blue and white Russian opposition flag and Ukrainian flags, while chanting “no to war” and “Putin is a murderer” in Russian.
Members of the opposition in Russia have been exiled since the Kremlin stepped up its crackdown on the opposition, jailing hundreds – perhaps thousands – of people for their political views.
The opposition party says it has three main demands – the “immediate withdrawal” of troops from Ukraine, the trial of Putin as a “war criminal” and the release of all political prisoners in Russia.
Ukraine was the focus of the protest, which ended at the Russian embassy in Berlin.
Russia’s opponents are often accused of failing to appreciate the suffering in Ukraine, and of failing to do enough to stop their country’s war.
Oleg Orlov, chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize Memorial, who was sentenced to prison in Russia for his anti-war and anti-government statements, held a banner that read: “Victory for Ukraine, Defeat for Putin, Freedom.” in Russia.”
Orlov now lives in Germany in forced exile after being released in a prisoner exchange in August. He asked Ukraine’s allies to continue supplying weapons.
“Putin’s victory in Ukraine will preserve his fascist regime in Russia for many years,” he told the BBC.
“More weapons for Ukraine are important, including for the future of Russia – because if Putin wins, Russia is defeated – that is, the Russia we all dream of and want to build.
“Those Europeans who talk about peace at all costs in Ukraine, those who are ready to appease the aggressor, do not understand the mine they are laying for the future of Europe itself.”
Speaking outside the Russian embassy, Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was also released in August after spending more than two years – 11 months in solitary confinement – in Russian custody, called the embassy a “nest of Russian spies”.
“It will be an ambassador again,” he added.
Another young IT worker, Anastasia – originally from Kazan, Russia – said she left in March 2022 because she could not live in a country fighting a war she opposed.
He said “it is impossible to protest in a place of authority”, adding that this is why this meeting was so important.
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